There are almost ten million horses that are kept for recreation – and sometimes sport – in the United States alone. This means that there is a huge need for boarding facilities for horses of all ages. The demand for horse boarding facilities will only continue to grow. Luckily for you, all you need to do is thorough planning and research to ensure that your own horse boarding facility can be a profitable and sustainable business.You also need to learn more about how to keep horses safe if you plan to board them. Understanding what you need to make this happen is the next big step. For that reason, we’ve put together all the things you need to know to set up a successful horse boarding business.
You Need…Experience
There is no point in starting a horse boarding business if you have no experience with horses. Experience is an essential tool in the handbag of a horse boarder. Without hands-on experience, you need to be willing to bring someone into the fold who has that knowledge. A key leader in the entire operation of your boarding barn is going to make the world of difference to you!
You Need…Premises
It’s not enough to have a barn with a trough for water. You need to have a facility with the right equipment on the site. This will include a shelter and proper paddocks for the horses to run safely. You also need to have a separate and possibly smaller barn to house the feed and the bedding that your horses require. There are also business licenses that you will have to obtain, which should be done before you open your boarding stables. Insurance will keep you covered, so look into that here.
You Need…People
There are a few ways that you can run your boarding stables. You can offer full-time boarding, part-time boarding or just pasture boarding. A boarding farm that offers a full-time boarding contract will offer services such as daily care of the horses, a stall for the horse plus muck-outs. Part-time boarding services include the stall and the rest of the muck out and care for the horse is up to the owner. Pasture board is the basic, with no stalls offered, but the horse can be kept in the pasture with a shelter available. Whichever one you choose to offer for your boarded horses, you will need to consider the staffing involved. Consider the amount of staff you will need and add payroll to your ever-growing budget.
You Need…Connections
Equine veterinarians and farriers are great connections. They will send you new customers by simply referring your business. Another crucial connection that you need to establish is with suppliers. Items such as horse feed and bedding are going to stretch your budget. Be mindful of these expenses when searching for reasonable suppliers. You should also look into having a good riding instructor on your staff. Riding lessons are a terrific way to generate additional income. The more you offer, the more profit you can bring in.
You Need…Advertising
Make sure that you list your boarding operation with the wider community. If you’re running a horse boarding facility in the countryside there’s every chance that your neighbors will become frequent guests. You could also utilize social media to advertise your business. This will help you to open up to the nearby towns and spread the word about the amazing service that you are opening. The best advertising that you could ever have will be word of mouth. Referrals are a strong way to get recommended to others. Have cards and information in the windows and boards at local vet offices. Ask your suppliers to put your name out there as well.
Your horse boarding business can thrive if you put the hours and the work in. Always remember to ask for help and don’t be afraid to rely on your staff and your managers to keep up with the trends in horse boarding. Spend the money wisely and buy the best of the best: your business deserves it.
Be sure to hop into the Savvy Entrepreneur Private Facebook Community to collaborate, learn and grow with your fellow entrepreneurs and business owners.
Similar Posts by Savvy Entrepreneur:
10 Income Reports by Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs
https://savvyentrepreneur.co/10-income-reports-by-entrepreneurs-for-entrepreneurs/
Get More Customers Using Your Website, Email Marketing, and Social Media
https://savvyentrepreneur.co/get-more-customers-using-website-email-marketing-social-media/
Mastermind Groups for Entrepreneurs Foster Accountability
https://savvyentrepreneur.co/mastermind-groups-for-entrepreneurs-foster-accountability/
